In the hustle and bustle of life, where shortcuts often tempt us, God consistently chooses the path of establishing long-lasting foundations. A profound example is found in the narrative of Moses spending 40 days communing with God on Mount Sinai, as recounted in the Book of Exodus.

In an era where immediacy is prized, God's decision to have Moses spend 40 days on the mountain signals a divine patience that transcends human impatience. God's timing is deliberate, designed to establish disciplines that endure.

"Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights." Exodus 24:18 (NLT)

The 40 days on Mount Sinai symbolize a deep communion between God and Moses.

"Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." Exodus 33:11 (NLT)

God, in His infinite wisdom, chose an extended period for this encounter, revealing a commitment to a relationship that goes beyond the superficial. During this period of communion, God inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, a foundational guide for righteous living.

"Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets." Exodus 34:28 (NLT)

God's desire for generations to have a deeper understanding of His commandments necessitated this extended period of revelation. Shortcuts would have compromised the depth and richness of these foundational principles.

As Moses descended from the mountain after the 40 days, his face radiated with the glory of God.

"When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord." Exodus 34:29 (NLT)

This radiant transformation reflects the profound impact of the extended communion with God. God's patient investment in Moses resulted in a visible transformation.

The narrative of Moses spending 40 days on Mount Sinai teaches us that God's choices often defy our preference for shortcuts. He invests time in ensuring that our understanding, relationships, and principles are deeply rooted. In a world that often seeks quick fixes, God's patient guidance serves as a reminder that some things in life are worth the wait.